the low down on...
Sunday Cycle Rides
The Sunday Cycle Rides are the heart of Cyclesolihull. They take place most Sundays during the spring and summer (except the Sunday immediately following after the first Saturday of the month), starting at 2 pm from different places around the borough. In the Winter there are at least two rides each month.
Although many people cycle to the start point, they all have free parking nearby for if you need to bring your bike by car (more information on start points).
All the rides take place on quiet roads (mainly country lanes) and cycle paths so they are suitable for relatively new cyclists and children.
Someone at the front ('the leader') will lead the way and a 'backmarker' will be appointed so no one gets left behind. Every so often the ride will stop to regroup so that the overall pace is of the slowest rider.
If the group is large, it may be split into two to make the ride more manageble. This is usually done after a mile or so to enable riders of a simlar speed to be grouped together.
There is always a refreshment stop of about 30 minutes, either at a tea room or a pub. All the pubs have gardens and are child friendly. As you are part of a group it doesn't really matter if you prefer to bring you own drink - it can sometimes be nice to have a completely free afternoon out!
To help you know what to expect, the rides follow one of 19 fixed Cyclesolihull Routes:
Short 'S' rides are about 10 miles long (rides finish about 3.45 pm-4.15 pm)
Medium 'M' rides are about 15 miles long (rides finish about 5 pm)
Longer 'L' rides are about 20 miles long (rides finish about 5 pm - 5.30 pm).
All rides return to the start point.
Sunday Cycle Rides
November-December 2009
Sunday 15 November at 1.30 pm. Route S9 from Cheswick Green (Shops). About 10 miles via Tanworth. Completed with 24 riders taking part.
Sunday 29 November at 1.30 pm. Route S1 from Dorridge Rail Station. About 9 miles via Lapworth and Packwood. Completed with 17 riders taking part.
Sunday 13 December at 1.30 pm . Route S4 from Dickens Heath. About 10 miles via Tanworth and Earlswood. Completed with 14 riders taking part.
See also our Xmas Week Special Ride on Tuesday 29 December - for more details see the website 'home' page .
Try Cyclesolihull's other rides:
Evening Explorer rides are on alternate Wednesdays from mid-May to early August. They start at 7 pm from various locations and are about 10 miles long, following the shorter 'S' routes. There is a pub refreshment stop of about 30 minutes and the ride will finish before 9 pm.
Taster Rides are occasional shorter rides of about 5 miles long. They start at 2 pm and there is a refreshment stop. These rides are an ideal introduction to Cyclesolihull rides for new cyclists and families with children. They are just like the other rides but much shorter!
Saturday Stretcher rides are the longest Cyclesolihull rides at between 20 and 25 miles. There is no fixed route and they may use sections of busier roads. They are not suitable for small children.
coming soon..
Cyclesolihull Cycling Culture
towards a Solihull where cycling is the norm.
